Report: FSU S Derwin James turned down private workout with Bucs

One of the top defensive prospects in the 2018 NFL draft isn’t risking injury by doing a private workout for a team picking in the top 10.

Florida State safety Derwin James turned down a request for a such a workout by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per MMQB’s Albert Breer:

Breer said James declined the workout at the behest of his representatives, a trend that could be growing among top prospects, including others in this year’s class:

I was told James and his agents made the decision after his strong effort at the combine. They believed he’d shown teams, on the field, what they needed to see. And that’s a decision I’ve heard a couple other kids projected inside the Top 15 or so picks have made as well. And I think it’s probably smart, because I’m hearing—from coaches—that workouts in particular, and prospects’ schedules in general, have gotten way out of control. It’s in part a product of the combine being moved back a week, which has crunched the time between pro days and the draft, and forced players to fit meetings and workouts with teams into a smaller window.

With major injuries to top prospects over the last couple of years, both in bowl games and predraft workouts, it’s hard to blame any of these players for doing everything they can to minimize the risk.

I doubt the Bucs, or any other team picking in the top 15 that needs a dynamic playmaker for their defense, will be terribly put off by James’ business decision.